Statik Selektah

Patrick Baril, born on January 23, 1982 in Lawrence, MA, is an American Hip-Hop DJ and Producer. He goes by the name of 'Statik Selektah' and is best known for his mixed CDs with rappers Nas, Boston rapper Termanology, Royce Da 5'9" and G-Unit Records, as well as his mixshows on FM and Satellite Radio. His partner is Jenny-Marie Miranda, director of Showoff Public Relations.

Statik's love of music led to him to be an aspiring DJ at a young age, playing with his parents' 8-tracks and cassette decks. Around 1993, he began recording freestyle and pause mixtapes, all while studying the music of Gang Starr, Wu-Tang Clan, Dr. Dre, A Tribe Called Quest, Rakim, Nas, KRS-One, and Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, just to name a few. By 7th grade, Statik began djing school dances.

A visit to New Jersey for Thanksgiving in 1995 led him to hearing Funkmaster Flex and DJ Premier Live on NYC's Hot 97. Falling in love with the art of turntablism instantly, he returned home to get started right away. Statik's vinyl collection began growing rapidly with classics that were being released at the time such as Group Home, AZ, Nas, Gang Starr and Common Sense. After learning to scratch basic on his father's turntable, he decided to buy a pair and a mixer in 1996.

Around the same time, Statik began doing radio at Phillips Exeter Academy's WPEA, where he also occasionally DJ'ed some of the Afro-Latino Society Parties. This expanded his musical taste into Reggae and more R&B. His record collection continued to grow after frequenting record stores like Biscuithead (in Boston), Fat Beats and Rock and Soul (in NYC).

In 1998, at the age of 16, Statik expanded into rocking nightclubs and parties across the seacoast, including Hampton Beach's "Heaven," an under 21 club that later became the area's hottest teen spot. He quickly learned the basics and mentality of rocking clubs, no matter what age the crowd.